By Ace Ramirez, EBC Correspondent, Washington DC Bureau
The Citi Open Tennis tournament will showcase world-ranked tennis stars such as the 2016 defending champion Gael Monfils and three-time Champion Juan Martin del Potro.
Crowd favorite Genie Bouchard, and Puerto Rico’s first and only Olympic Gold medalist Monica Puig also committed early to this tournament.
Expected to pump up the heat and rock the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center are American favorite, the giant John Isner, World No. 9 Dominic Thiem, and favorite doubles twins, Bob and Mike Bryan, who are back for the 14th time in pursuit of their fifth Washington title.
Monfils’ 2016 Citi Open title was his first 500-level title on the ATP World Tour.
The French powerhouse also achieved his career-high ranking of No. 6 last year, following his impressive run to the U.S. Open semifinals. D.C. fan favorite, Del Potro won the tournament three times — in 2008, 2009, and 2013 and is a heavy contender this year. Puig used last year’s tournament as a tune up for her gold medal campaign in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Washington first-timer and World No. 9 Thiem has set his eyes on capturing his 8th ATP World Tour title. Another “huge” fan favorite, Isner, returns to Washington to put his name in US Tennis history to be the first American to win the men’s singles crown in the U.S. capital since Andy Roddick in 2007.
“I couldn’t be more excited about our field. It speaks volumes for the caliber of players that want to commit early to play in D.C.,” said Keely O’Brien, the event’s tournament director. “I think it’s a true testament to the hard work of our staff, volunteers, fans and even our sponsors to ensure a great experience for these players when they visit Washington, D.C.”
This is the 49th edition of the Citi Open Tennis Tournament which is one of only 13 elite ATP World Tour 500-level events worldwide and the only one held in the United States.
The tournament also features a WTA International Tournament, which provides fans the opportunity to watch simultaneous competitions of both world-class men’s and women’s tennis throughout the nine-day event. It is one of only five U.S. tournaments that include both men’s and women’s fields.
The Tournament will be held July 29 to August 6 at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center on 16th and Kennedy Streets NW.
This international event continues to be a stalwart in the community, directly benefiting local kids and youth through the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation, the tournament’s owner and beneficiary.